New York State Test Prep Social Studies 5 (Grade 4) Civics and Citizenship

A citizen is a member of a community, state, or nation. Citizens have rights and responsibilities as family members, as students in a classroom and school, and as members of their community, state, and nation.

Being a good citizen means:

                                             following rules and laws
                                             being responsible and respectful
                                             helping others

At Home

Rights: Children have the right to the basic needs of life, including food, shelter, and clothing. They also have the right to live in a safe home where they are protected and can receive love, comfort and care. All family members have the right to be treated with courtesy and respect. A healthy lifestyle that includes protection and the right to health and medical care should be the right of every child.

Rules: Families set their own rules for the protection and well-being of each member of the family. Rules are usually set by the adults who want to make sure that their children stay healthy and are safe. Rules help things to run smoothly in the family. Rules may change as children get older and have more responsibilities.
Rules may involve bedtimes, household chores, visiting friends, or playing outside. Working and playing by the rules helps families manage their time together and live together peacefully. Cooperation is important in families.

Responsibilities: Being a responsible family member means knowing and following the family's rules. It means helping parents or care-givers and cooperating with brothers and sisters. It is the responsibility of family members to be honest and fair to each other. Families should work together while respecting each member of the family as an individual.

At School

Rights: All students have the right to be treated fairly and with respect. They have the right to learn in an orderly, safe classroom. Students have the right to be encouraged and challenged to do their best.

Rules: Our classrooms and schools have rules to keep students and staff members safe and healthy. They help to make it easier for everyone to learn in a pleasant setting. It is important for every student to follow school and classroom rules and not upset other students by interfering with their learning.

Responsibilities: It is the responsibility of all students to attend school and try their hardest to learn. A responsible person wants to be the best he or she can be. Being responsible means making decisions about what is right and what is wrong and then choosing to do and say the right thing. It means respecting the rights of other students and listening to their ideas. When we accept individual differences we learn that everyone has something to offer. Students can show respect for others by sharing, and waiting to take their turn. Sometimes respect means making compromises. This means you don't always get your way when solving problems or differences. It means doing what is best for the majority.
Responsible students are careful with their property and belongings. They also care for things that belong to others. They help keep their school and classroom clean and orderly and willingly help others.
Joining clubs and participating in school activities and events helps us to be better citizens. By working together we learn respect.

In Your Community, State, and Nation

Rights: All individuals are given certain rights by the United States Constitution's Bill of Rights (See http://www.studyzone.org/testprep/ss5/b/valsamdeml.cfm .) that cannot be taken away. A good citizen does not interfere with or take away the rights of their neighbors or other members of the community.

Rules and Laws: It is important for everyone to follow rules and obey laws. Laws create fairness and protect the health and safety of all individuals. They protect our freedom and democracy. We must obey laws or pay consequences. Good citizenship for adults also means serving on jury duty and paying taxes.

Responsibilities: As an adult, being an informed citizen about our government and community is an important responsibility. Voting in elections is just one responsibility of all good citizens. Volunteering to help in the community, joining worthwhile community events or organizations, and helping people who need assistance are other responsibilities. It is important for citizens to be active in their community and help others whenever possible.
There are many ways for children to be good citizens too. Young people can volunteer to help clean up their community by adopting a street or highway, or cleaning up a vacant lot. They might visit hospitals or nursing homes and share their talents or simply chat with those who need a friend. Children might offer to help a neighbor, or mow a lawn or shovel a driveway for an elderly person. By volunteering and helping others, people build better communities. Being involved makes volunteers feel good about themselves too.

Definitions

citizen: a person who is a member of a community, state, or country

compromise: an agreement made by finding a middle ground through give and take

majority: more than half of the people

consequences: the effect of an action; what happens to someone because he or she has done something

volunteer: people who give their time to help others without getting paid